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Duterte: China-funded rehab facility almost complete

THANKS CHINA. President Duterte speaks at the Banana Congress in SMX Center in Davao City. Photo by Manman Dejeto/Rappler

MANILA, Philippines – President Rodrigo Duterte cited China's assistance in helping build a "dormitory" for drug addicts in Nueva Ecija while blasting the United States and European Union for not being as helpful.

"It is only China helping us. I requested the miitary to open their accounts to allow people who would want to donate rehab houses. China is about to complete, walang hambog, walang news, it's about to be completed," said Duterte on Friday, October 7, during the Banana Congress in Davao City.

The rehabilitation facility is to stand in Fort Magsaysay in Palayan City, Nueva Ecija. According to Duterte, it will be able to house 1,400 drug addicts.

The Palace earlier said 4 rehab centers would be built in military camps in 2016. In mid-September, Health Secretary Paulyn Ubial flew to China to sign a deal for the construction of a 10,000-bed "mega" treatment and rehabilitation center in Fort Magsaysay.

Duterte compared China's supposed helpfulness to the critical attitude of the US and EU towards his administration.

"You, instead of helping us, you know very well that I entered the presidency midterm and I was operating now my budget that is not mine," said Duterte, his way of explaining why the country still lacks drug rehab centers.

On top of the criticism, Duterte claims the EU has threatened to cut developmental aid from the Philippines.

"You've been threateneing to cut aids and everything. Who do you think you are? Without your aid, fine, we will survive. But do not threaten me...son of a gun," said an incensed Duterte.

As for the US, Duterte repeated his decision to end US-Philippines war games, but said doing so does not mean putting an end to the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement which both countries signed.

"The war games is not part of EDCA," he said, saying he was informed of this by "lawyers."

But Duterte, still smarting from Obama reminding him of possible human rights violations in his drug war, reminded the US that their presence in Manila led to the city's destruction during World War II.

"In the Battle of Manila, 200,000 Filipinos died because you were here," he said.

Duterte again said he does not mind severing ties with the US in the future.

"For as long as I am there, do not treat us like a doormat because you’ll be sorry for it. I will not stick with you. I can always go to China... I have met [Russian Prime Minister] Medvedev during the summit," he said.

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Welcome to Rappler, a social news network where stories inspire community engagement and digitally fuelled actions for social change. Rappler comes from the root words "rap" (to discuss) + "ripple" (to make waves).